Don't Replace Your Roof Until You Read This
As a California homeowner, you want your home to look nice
and remain in good condition. Over the years, you may replace or
repair different items to ensure your home stays safe and
comfortable. Now may be the time to repair or replace your roof.
California Homeowners often select the type and color of the
roofing materials for their home, but leave the specific brand
choice to the contractor. It's important to understand weight,
warranty, and cost are not effective measures of the quality or
reliability
of roofing products.
When selecting a new roof, consider three things:
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The roofing materials' resistance to the elements -- weathering, hail, impact, wind and fire |
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The details of the manufacturer's warranty for various roofing products |
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The selection of the right contractor |
Selecting the right roof for your home involves educating
yourself about roofing products, choosing a good contractor,
and learning important questions to ask.
Costs will vary depending on the material used and the
complexity of the roof shape. Not only will the materials be
priced differently, but the labor costs to install different
materials can vary drastically.
A composition shingle, for example, weighs substantially
less than a concrete shingle. Installation of a heavier
shingle may take longer and therefore add extra hours to
labor costs.
Roofing is measured in "squares." A square represents 100
square feet of area -- generally a 10-foot-by-10-foot
section. Typically, the steeper the "pitch" or angle of your
roof, the greater the repair or replacement cost because of
the extra safety considerations and labor time involved.
Where you live makes a difference. Carefully consider the
climate and conditions in your area. Many things can affect
a roof's life span. The location of your home makes a
critical difference in longevity no matter which materials
are used.
For example, shade from trees or wet, humid weather can
create moss problems for some roofs, while those in drier
climates may suffer more wear from hail or excessive heat.
Fire-prone areas may be more dangerous for homes with wood
roofs, while windy conditions put constant stress on any
roof.
Roofing
products have changed significantly over the years.
There are a wide range of choices in materials, appearances
and prices. Look for materials that will help protect your
home for many years.
Check Ratings
Testing for Resistance
Testing standards exist to measure a roofing product's
relative resistance to impact, wind and fire. Roofing
manufacturers are not required to subject their roofing
materials to all testing standards. However, when materials
are tested and receive these ratings, consumers can use this
information to help them determine which roofing product is
right for their home.
Impact Resistance
UL 2218 is a testing standard designed by Underwriters'
Laboratories (UL) to evaluate a roofing material's potential
resistance to the impact of hail.
Roofing products may have a testing label indicating a
specific impact-resistance rating. Depending on how the
material performed during UL 2218 testing, the product may
receive a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 impact- resistance rating.
Roofing with a Class 4 rating is expected to provide the
greatest impact resistance.
Wind Resistance
Windy conditions put a constant stress on your roof. The
wind may lift the edges of roofing material, allowing water
to penetrate. High winds can cause tearing in asphalt
composition shingles. Extreme winds can even cause many
roofing materials to blow off.
Products perform best when installed per the manufacturer's
instructions.
If you select an asphalt product for your roof, the Asphalt
Roofing Manufacturer Association (ARMA) prefers the use of
nails to staples for securing shingles. Using a hammer for
installation vs. a nail gun gives the installer more precise
control when nailing. In windy areas, many manufacturers and
local building codes call for six nails per shingle instead
of the usual four.
Fire Resistance
Depending on how a material performs during fire-resistance
testing, the product may receive a Class A, B or C fire
rating, or possibly no rating. Products tested may be
labeled with a specific fire-resistance rating.
Fire ratings are:
Class A: Effective against severe fire exposure
Class B: Effective against moderate fire exposure
Class C: Effective against light fire exposure
Non-rated: The roofing material either was not tested or
failed one of the tests.
Check local building codes before purchasing to see which
standards need to be met.
Check Warranties
Most roofing materials come with some type of warranty;
read the fine print carefully. Different manufacturers carry
different warranties for similar products. Save the wrapper
from one of your shingle bundles to verify the exact product
placed on your roof and the associated warranty. Here are
some examples of warranties:
Pro-rated: The manufacturer pays claims based on the
age of the roof. The older your roof, the less the
manufacturer will pay to replace an older roof with a newer
one.
First owner: Some warranties apply only to the first
owner of a roof. If you plan to sell your home soon, the new
owner will not be allowed to continue the warranty.
Warranty fee for flat roofs: Obtaining a warranty
from the manufacturer of a roofing system for flat roofs may
be cost-prohibitive. However, a local contractor may provide
a two-year warranty.
Wind: Applies specifically to damage caused by wind.
Hail: Applies specifically to damage caused by hail.
Hail warranties are not common.
Materials and defects: The manufacturer's warranty is
typically limited to product defects that result from the
manufacturing process. If your roofing contractor, for
example, incorrectly installs the roof and a leak develops,
the manufacturer would not be responsible for repairs.
However, workmanship defects may be covered by a warranty
given to the homeowner by the installer.
Workmanship: Manufacturers do not allow contractors
to alter printed product warranties. The contractor may
provide a workmanship warranty. The terms of this warranty
would be written in the contract between the installer and
the homeowner. This warranty period varies depending on the
terms of the contract.
Contact our Home Improvement Specialist today to help you with your roofing needs.
